Two ancient human species coexisted in Ethiopia, walking differently

Two ancient human species coexisted in Ethiopia 3.4 million years ago, exhibiting different forms of bipedalism. New fossil analysis reveals Australopithecus deyiremeda had a grasping toe and a different gait than Australopithecus afarensis, suggesting varied evolutionary paths for walking. The study also indicates distinct diets, with A. deyiremeda favoring wooded areas and A. afarensis consuming open grassland vegetation, explaining their coexistence.